EIU Booth Library

The science of well-being

Posted on January 20th, 2016

The reference collection has recently received the 2016 Routledge Handbook of Philosophy of Well-Being (call number BD431 .R623 2016).

This comprehensive reference source provides entries on the key concepts, theories and debates surrounding this ancient idea from a philosophical perspective but it includes explorations of well being from Psychology, Law, Medicine and Economics as well. Review a limited preview from Google books at the link above or browse the book in the reference collection, 3000 level of Booth Library.

While the concept may seem new, there is a strong body of literature surrounding well being and “Happiness studies.” In Booth’s Collection alone there are more than 80 books centrally about well-being, 45 of which are electronic and immediately accessible. EIU Psychology Professor Steve Scher has published an article on prayer and well-being and the psychological journal literature abounds with studies, even in just the past 15 years.

For a quick overview take a look a one or more of these electronic encyclopedia entries. As always, the high quality scholarly information is not free and open to the public. It is available to EIU users because Booth librarians purchased it. Next time you see one tell them “thanks!”